Most of us don’t travel these days without a full arsenal of gadgets. A phone, a tablet, a laptop, a Kindle, a Chromecast — the list goes on. If that’s you, you’ll also know that setting them all up on hotel Wi-Fi is a bit of a pain.

The solution is to throw another piece of kit into your bag: a travel router. But what exactly is this, and why do you need one? Let’s take a look.

What Is a Travel Router?

In simplest terms, a travel router is a Wi-Fi router just like the one you’ve got set up at home. It’s smaller and more portable, hence making it more suited for travel, but the core features are the same.

Image Credit: TP-Link

A travel router is designed to simplify the process of connecting and managing devices on public Wi-Fi networks, whether that means in a hotel, at the airport, or anywhere else.

Most major router manufacturers have travel versions in their product range, including Netgear, D-Link, and more. They can be pretty small, too. The TP-Link Nano routers are almost as small as a credit card, while many other models are comparable in size to a portable phone charger.

Benefits of Travel Routers

The most obvious benefit of a travel router is that it means you don’t have to keep adding your devices to new Wi-Fi networks that you want to use. You keep your devices connected to the travel router instead, and then you only have to connect the travel router to different networks.

This also has the effect of hiding all the devices you’ve connected to the network — technically, you’ve only connected one: the travel router. It brings potential security benefits, and it helps you to bypass any arbitrary limits the network owner might have placed on the number of devices you’re allowed to connect.

But there are even more benefits.

If the router has an Ethernet port, it can turn a wired internet connection into a wireless one. Travel routers can create a shared network between your connected devices, and many have a USB port that you can use with a flash drive full of media content.

Drawbacks of Travel Routers

There aren’t many downsides, but there are a few things to bear in mind.

First, many travel routers need an external power source, which will limit where you can use it. Second, most need an existing Wi-Fi internet connection to get you online, although some models are available with a built-in SIM card slot for data internet.

What to Look for in a Travel Router

When you’re shopping for a travel router, you should look out for the same kinds of features you’d look for in a standard wireless router. On top of that, you might also find a few extra features that will help when you’re on the road.

Wi-Fi Standard and Band

As with any router, check what Wi-Fi standard it works on. 802.11ac is the latest and fastest standard, but if not then 802.11n is also okay. You should avoid anything older — they will be much slower, more prone to interference, and their age may also suggest they have less modern and less robust security protocols.

Ports

Ethernet and USB ports are essentials in a travel router. With Ethernet you can turn a wired connection — that can only be used with a single device (that has an Ethernet port of its own, like a laptop) — into a wireless connection that can be used with multiple devices, including phones and tablets.

Multiple Usage Modes

Travel routers have many usage modes that enable them to work in different ways. Not every model will have all of these modes, and they might not always have the same names, so just be aware of that. The five most common modes are:

AP mode — Creates a wireless access point from a non-wireless internet connection, via an ethernet cable. For use in locations where there’s only access to a wired connection.

Router mode — The router connects to the network, and your devices connect to the router. They remain hidden on the network.

Repeater mode — The router extends coverage of the existing wireless network. This is a good use for the router when you’re at home.

Bridge mode — Takes the existing network connection and broadcasts it with a separate network name and password, effectively splitting the network in two.

Client mode — Gives wireless capability to any non-wireless device by way of a cabled connection.

Is a Travel Router for You?

If you travel a lot, and take a lot of gadgets with you, then it might be worth throwing a travel router in your bag.

Travel routers are great for getting lots of devices onto wireless networks without any hassle. They’re ideal for hotel rooms that only offer wired internet. And if you pick the right model you can fill up a memory stick with your favorite movies and stream them to your devices as well.

You can use travel routers at home. You can set one up as a wireless extender to remove any deadspots from the furthest corners of your house when you aren’t at home. It’s even possible to push Wi-Fi coverage out into your garden. Or you can use the router to turn your old printer into a rather more useful wireless version.

Would you consider buying a travel router? Or do you already have one? Join us in the comments to share your thoughts and recommendations.

Andy is a former print journalist and magazine editor who has been writing about technology for 15 years. In that time he has contributed to countless publications and produced copywriting work for large tech companies. He has also provided expert comment for the media and hosted panels at industry events.